Satellite Event at CBD COP16, Cali

Friday 25 October 2024, 10:00 am to 11:30 am COT (UTC -5)

Observing biology and ecosystems in the ocean for effective biodiversity conservation

This side event will share the latest developments, including capacity development opportunities and challenges, concerning existing, new and emerging technologies and methods for observing biology and ecosystem Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), including metrics for biodiversity and relevant environmental parameters. We aim to highlight their high potential for supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework – in particular, the 2050 Goals A (Protect and Restore), C (Share Benefits Fairly), and D (Invest and Collaborate).

From left to right:
Sophie Seeyave, (POGO), Francisco Chavez (MBARI), Claire Szostek (PML), Emma Heslop (GOOS), Ward Appeltans (OBIS), David Millar (Fugro), Vanessa Yepes (INVEMAR), Francisco Arias (INVEMAR, and POGO Chair)

We explain the relevance of the EOVs as the fundamental data building blocks needed to develop Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs: time series of biodiversity metrics at a location or as series of maps). These observations are fundamental to advance and implement marine life forecasts and scenario planning. Monitoring biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and associated environmental parameters in the ocean underpins almost all of the 23 global targets. Without these data we cannot implement conservation measures, monitor their effectiveness, or indeed measure progress.

The side event is of particular relevance to the CBD, because it aims to stimulate a dialogue between academics, policy makers, NGOs, and industry, bringing together the key stakeholders required to effectively tackle the issues we face, such as Marine Protected Area management, fisheries and aquaculture, Harmful Algal Bloom and invasive species monitoring, and the synergistic effects of climate change, through cross-sectoral collaboration. Of particular interest are research – private sector – government partnerships.

Programme:

Welcome and introduction: Sophie Seeyave

Section 1 – Introducing observing systems for marine biodiversity and biology

Francisco Chavez – Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI, USA:
Emerging technologies for observing life in the sea

Claire Szostek – Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), UK:
Advancing global observations, tools and capacity building in response to the global climate and biodiversity crises

Section 2 – The need for a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and federated data systems to inform the Global Biodiversity Framework:

Emma Heslop – Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Ward Appeltans – Ocean Biodiversity Information System, OBIS, IOC-UNESCO

Section 3: Examples of applications of biological observations for biodiversity conservation and management

Vanessa Yepes – Institute of Coastal and Marine Research (INVEMAR), Colombia:
MPA management in the biomolecular era
David Millar, Government Accounts Director, Americas – Fugro:
Private sector perspective on biodiversity monitoring

Q&A/Discussion

Biographies:

Moderator

Sophie Seeyave (POGO)

Sophie Seeyave is the CEO of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), based at Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the UK. She provides leadership to POGO, an international organisation and UK charity, and oversees the work of the Secretariat, a team of four other staff members located in the UK and Portugal. The POGO membership consists of 56 oceanographic research institutions in 31 countries, working together towards global ocean observations, through innovation, capacity development and outreach/advocacy.

Panellists

Francisco Chavez (MBARI)

Francisco Chavez studies how climate variability and change impact marine ecosystems. He was born and raised in Peru, and has a PhD from Duke University. Chavez has over 300 peer-reviewed publications with 15 in Nature and Science. Chavez is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of the Sciences, honored for distinguished research on the impact of climate variability on oceanic ecosystems and global carbon cycling; the American Geophysical Union, honored for advancing fundamental knowledge of the physical-biological coupling between Pacific Decadal Oscillations, productivity, and fisheries; and the recipient of the Ed Ricketts Memorial award, created to honor people who have exhibited exemplary work throughout their career and advanced the status of knowledge and appreciation of the marine environment. He was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by the Universidad Pedro Ruiz Gallo in Peru in recognition of his distinguished scientific career and for contributing to elevate academic and cultural levels of university communities in particular and society in general.

Claire Szostek (PML)

Claire Szostek is a Senior Ecosystem Services Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). Claire has over a decade of research experience in marine ecology, fisheries and assessing human impacts on the marine environment. Claire works closely with industry, government and third-sector organisations, in particular in developing management tools and working at the science-policy interface for environmental and socio-economic outcomes of offshore energy development. Claire coordinates Biodiversity research impact activities at PML.

Emma Heslop (GOOS)

Emma is a physical oceanographer with significant strategic & business development expertise.

An initial career in the technology industry developed skills in new market development and communications. Sailing made her profoundly aware of the importance of the oceans and of the human impacts on them. She completed a PhD in physical oceanography is passionate about the need for sustained monitoring of the oceans and the utility of ocean data for science, government and industry applications, now and into the future.

Her experience encompasses circulation variability, new technology such as gliders, model validation, multi-platform ocean observing systems, the economics of ocean data and ocean data products. She has proven leadership of research, international collaboration and in applying business practice to bridge the gap between ocean science and societal applications.

In 2018 she joined the IOC of UNESCO to support the development of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), in particular developing and now implementing its ambitious 2030 Strategy. The ocean has a key role to play in our sustainable future and ocean observations are the foundation to achieving this.

Ward Appeltans (OBIS)

UNESCO and IOC Marine Biodiversity Focal Point; Project Manager Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS); Team member GOOS Biology & Ecosystems and IOC Capacity Development programme.

Vanessa Yepes (INVEMAR)

Vanessa Yepes Narvaez, Biologist, PhD. Currently work as a scientific researcher for the Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems Program of INVEMAR, coordinator of the first mobile environmental DNA laboratory and curator of the collection of cryopreserved marine tissues at the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia – Makuriwa.

Vanessa has more than 12 years of experience in marine research, mainly in the characterization of the fauna of shallow and deep environments of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific, using morphological and molecular approaches such as DNA barcoding, environmental DNA metabarcoding (eDNA) and population genetics.

Currently leads the initiative to monitor marine biodiversity through eDNA in Colombia, which includes several national and international partners. Its main objective is to consolidate a standardized methodology for the use of this technology and the creation of best practice guides for data quality and management. As well as the creation of a genetic database of marine biodiversity that provides relevant information for the development of conservation strategies and decision making.

David Millar (Fugro)

David Millar is Fugro’s Government Accounts Director for the Americas region and previously ran a Fugro ocean and coastal mapping company based in San Diego, California. In his current role, he leads Fugro’s government affairs and serves as Fugro’s key account manager for national governments within the Americas, as well as the United Nations, the World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank. Mr. Millar also directs Fugro’s global support of and participation in Seabed 2030, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and the Ocean Stewardship Coalition of the UN Global Compact. Mr. Millar is a member of the GEBCO Guiding Committee, the International Hydrographic Organization’s Crowdsourced Bathymetry Working Group, NOAA’s Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, and the National Academies of Science Ocean Studies Board.

Useful Links:

Other POGO & OBON activities at COP16:
https://pogo-ocean.org/outreach-and-advocacy/outreach-events-and-projects/cop16-cbd/

POGO Statement on Sustained Biological Ocean Observations in Support of the Global Biodiversity Framework
https://pogo-ocean.org/statement-on-biological-observations-for-gbf/

GEO BON COP16 Events page:
https://geobon.org/geo-bon-at-cop-16/

GEO Pavilion further info and location map:
https://earthobservations.org/events/2024-un-biodiversity-conference/page/geo-cop16-pavilion

COP16 Webpage:
https://www.cop16colombia.com/es/